DIY Military Style Truck Bed Tent under $300

So one day I got an idea of building my own truck bed tent that utilizes the bed rails because i wasnt impressed with the truck tents available today and the price jeeeeeez. My parameters for this project was cheap, utility, and no need for customization. I have the 6'2" bed and I started to put ideas down on paper.

So here is the parts list:
The frame is all 1/2in galvanized threaded pipe.
(4) 2ft pieces
(4) 3ft pieces
(2) 30 inch pieces
(4) 45 degree elbows
(2) 90 degree side outlet elbows
(1) Straight connector
(1) 10x12ft tarp
(8) camping stakes
(8) "S" hooks
50ft of paracord
All can be purchased at home depot for under $200.

I decided to spend a little more on the tarp and got an olive drab canvas tarp.
Also the addition of a truck bed air mattress ensures camping like a king.
Hopefully the pictures in the attachments work. I haven't figured how to include the pictures in the writing.

Let me know what you think.

 

I like it nice job

 

Hope it doesn't rain, you're gonna get wet...

Hope it doesn't get windy, you're gonna get dirty.

Need a longer tarp to make an awning / vestibule type structure out over the tailgate

Perhaps one upright free standing about two feet from the back of bed, from roofline to ground, than run a guy line to the ground

Maybe even add t connectors to the junctions above the tail lights to put a two foot or so extension there to carry back the roofline of the tent? Create an over hang of sorts...then add a door by hanging a tarp between the final two uprights

 

+1 for innovation.

nice job.

 

Ive done some consideration about the awning by adding a collapsable rod that hooks into the tarp grommet and the other end in the "D" ring at the end of the bed. As for getting wet, I have not tested it but the tarp advertised water "repellant" and although thats not waterproof i believe the angle of the tarp is enough to carry the water down and off the truck. But again yet to test.

 

I think you'll get wet by the way the tarp hangs above your tailgate...looks like anything that's on that loose piece of tarp is going to drip into the bed, or just blow right in

 

Even if you just attached a guy line to the center of the tarp in the center where it's loose and run it to the ground, like you have on the corners...

 

The length of the tarp is just right so when the tailgate is closed it hangs down over the end and serves the same purpose as the side.

 

That's pretty slick... Rudimentary, but slick.

Good job !

 

Good starting point. Thanks!

 

Cool! Looks tough and a great shade maker for desert dirtbike trips.

 

+1

Buy a shell and have a warm place to sleep but can't haul the bike without a trailer.

Looks great to me. Being water "repellent"... a thing I remember my dad going through making a simple shelter, for the most part it was okay, but anywhere anything on the interior touched the canvas, it sucked the rainwater right through it like it was cotton (oh, it was )

Windy? Ya... you're going to get dirty... but that's part of camping. I see the point of this as keeping the cold and dew off. Just something to add to the warmth of the sleeping bag... and to keep curious 'yotes away.
I've slept in the open in the desert and on the beach a bunch, and it is MUCH nicer just having something as simple as a lean-to. Nothing like waking up feeling like someone poured sand in your eyes.

 

Thanks guys!

 

like!
whatever works. Innovation at its best.

 

This is how I was able to fit the 1/2" pipe through the rail D ring. I believe its an M8-1.5 wing nut and a random washer.

 

That's fantastic. I like the looks of it alot. Now that it's been a year or so, have you had more experience with it? Still using it?